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Youth Congress activists today tried to stage a march towards Election Commission's office in central Delhi to protest the government's decision to present the Union Budget on February 1, three days ahead of voting in Punjab and Goa.

They began their march from their party office but were detained by police before they could reach the EC's office.

The activists charged that the government move to present the budget just days ahead of voting in five states was aimed at benefiting the ruling BJP in the states going to polls.

"It's a misuse of power by Narendra Modi government to influence the upcoming assembly elections by presenting the Union Budget before its scheduled date," Delhi Youth Congress chief Amit Malik alleged.

"Democracy in India will remain only for namesake if decisions continue to be take for political interests and not for the people," Malik said.

Presenting the budget ahead of its scheduled date will "hamper" fair electioneering in the five states - Punjab, Goa, Manipur Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, he added.

The BJP-led Union government has advanced the date for presenting the budget, saying it will help in formulating policies and streamline the disbursement of funds to agencies.

BJP has suggested that no announcements specific to five poll-bound states will be made in the Union budget.

Polling begins in Punjab and Goa on February 4, and ends on March 8 when polling will be held in Uttarakhand. Results will come out on March 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)